Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy Lara ready for July 12 showdown

One of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year is just days away.

On July 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, junior middleweight powers Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara face off in a 12-round fight with the winner likely to be crowned the best 154-pounder in the world.

"At the end of the day I fight for the fans and I want to give them the best fights possible," said Mexico's Alvarez, who is 43-1-1 with 31 knockouts. "I am working hard and preparing well for this fight."

Alvarez and Lara addressed the media in a conference call on Wednesday. Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions is promoting the fight, said the Alvarez versus Lara fight is near a sellout and that the pay-per-view telecast is selling well with cable operators.

Alvarez is coming off a win against Alfredo Angulo in March. Lara was impressive in defeating Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout back in December via unanimous decision. Lara also stopped Angulo in a tough fight last year and Alvarez owns a decision win over Trout, also last year.

"I've always wanted big fights and I've wanted to fight Canelo for a long time," said Lara, who is a former Cuban amateur star. "My main focus is to dominate Canelo. I am ready and in good shape. Canelo will force the action and I like fighters who come to fight. I pick those type of fighters apart."

Ronnie Shields, who trains Lara, said his fighter is eager and ready for the July 12 showdown.

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"You have to be at your best against Canelo. He is a good puncher with both hands," Shields said. "But Lara is the better fighter period. Lara was the better amateur, he is the better pro and he'll fight anyone. Lara doesn't have a pick and choose career (in terms of opponents). Alvarez has had the pick and choose career. Lara is a pure boxer and he has improved with each fight. Lara cannot wait until July 12 and you will see the very best in him and he's going to follow the game plan we set up for him."

Lara's only loss was a disputed decision to Paul Williams, while Alvarez' only loss came to Floyd Mayweather last September.

"We're happy with the work Canelo has been doing," said Chepo Reynoso, who trains Alvarez. "We're optimistic going into the fight on July 12."

Both fighters said their fights with Trout and Angulo have nothing to do with what will happen on July 12. They are both focused on each other and make the right preparations.

"Styles are different," Lara said. "I'm strictly focused on Canelo."

Added Alvarez: "I am focused on Lara. It'll be just him and I in the ring. I prepare different for every fight. It's going to be a great fight."